Jack Bannister: Cricket commentator dies, aged 85

Jack Bannister: 1930-2016

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23 January 2016

Cricket commentator Jack Bannister has died at the age of 85.

Radio station Talksport, where Bannister worked, announced the news on Saturday about the former Warwickshire bowler, who also had a long career at the BBC.

A short statement on Talksport's Twitter account read: "We are saddened to report that our legendary cricket correspondent Jack Bannister passed away last night aged 85. Rest in peace Jack."

Former England bowler Darren Gough, a colleague of Bannister's at Talksport, paid tribute, tweeting: "RIP jack bannister. A great man who was opinionated, honest, knowledgeable and passionate. A top cricketer, writer, broadcaster will be missed."

A seam bowler, Wolverhampton-born Bannister played for Warwickshire between 1950 and 1968, taking 1,198 wickets during his first-class career.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">We are saddened to report that our legendary cricket correspondent Jack Bannister passed away last night aged 85. Rest in peace Jack — talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/talkSPORT/status/690835083746492416" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-3163441-https://twitter.com/talkSPORT/status/690835083746492416" data-vars-event-id="c23">January 23, 2016</a>

Former England international Jonathan Agnew, a presenter on the BBC, also paid his tributes to Bannister, writing on Twitter: "Very sad to hear of the death of a great cricketing servant and good friend, Jack Bannister.

Mick Quinn, former Newcastle footballer, and currently a presenter at Talksport, tweeted: "Sad News. Former Cricketer and Talksport Cricket man Jack Bannister has passed away. Our Jack will be missed."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sad news as ex-Warwickshire bowler and commentator Jack Bannister passes away aged 85 <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://t.co/ZaBPfUjBCG" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-3163441-https://t.co/ZaBPfUjBCG" data-vars-event-id="c23">https://t.co/ZaBPfUjBCG</a> <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://t.co/b6gxGQ148R" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-3163441-https://t.co/b6gxGQ148R" data-vars-event-id="c23">pic.twitter.com/b6gxGQ148R</a> — ECB (@ECB_cricket) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/ECB_cricket/status/690862586640875520" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-3163441-https://twitter.com/ECB_cricket/status/690862586640875520" data-vars-event-id="c23">January 23, 2016</a>

Bannister was also involved in setting up the Professional Cricketers' Association after his playing career came to a close.

The PCA on Saturday said in a short Twitter statement: "All at @PCA are sorry to hear of the death of Jack Bannister, former Warwickshire seamer, broadcaster and key figure in establishment of PCA."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">RIP Jack Bannister. Condolences to his family and friends. <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WarwickshireLegend?src=hash" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-3163441-https://twitter.com/hashtag/WarwickshireLegend?src=hash" data-vars-event-id="c23">#WarwickshireLegend</a> — Ian Bell (@Ian_Bell) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Ian_Bell/status/690857596778070017" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-3163441-https://twitter.com/Ian_Bell/status/690857596778070017" data-vars-event-id="c23">January 23, 2016</a>

Warwickshire also released a short statement saying: "Sad to hear of Jack Bannister's passing. A true Bear and a pro in the comm box. Our thoughts are with his family."

England batsman Ian Bell, who was this week named the new Warwickshire captain, wrote: "RIP Jack Bannister. Condolences to his family and friends. #WarwickshireLegend".

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Jack Bannister: Cricket commentator dies, aged 85

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